Orthodontic appliance



Jan. 14, 1969 E. SILVERMAN ETAL 3,421,221

ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE Filed May 18, 1966 Sheet of 2 5y MORTON COHEN) 0.0.5,

ATTO/P/VfX ELLIOTT SILVERMAN, D. [25.

Jan. 14, 1969 E. SILVERMAN ETAL 3,421,221

ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE Filed May 18, 1966 Sheet 2 of 2 72 f/zlrlrlllll 7 73 7/ 73 ELLIOTT SJLVERMAN 0.125. MORTON COHEN, 6.0.5.

/ v I A TfU/P/VEX United States Patent Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is concerned essentially with an orthodontic appliance wherein a socket having only one end open is fixed to a band circumposed about a tooth, and a carrier is removably inserted into the socket having a wire-receiving bracket projecting outwardly away from the tooth beyond the socket for attachment to orthodontic wire.

This invention relates generally to orthodontic appliances, and is especially concerned with unique improvements in orthodontic brackets and associated structures.

The instant application is related to our copending patent application Ser. No. 520,383, filed Jan. 13, 1966, and is a continuation-in-part thereof. In addition to the advantageous results obtained by the teachings of said parent patent application, including quick and easy replaceability of brackets, improved cosmetic appearance and oral hygiene, it is contemplated by the instant invention to provide a highly advantageous bracket construction, as well as a unique detachable fastener means for a bracket carrier.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an orthodontic bracket for utilization in practice of the light-wire technique which is simpler in structure and sturdier in use than previous light-wire brackets, and capable of being fabricated of plastic, or the like.

The instant invention further contemplates the provision of a light-wire bracket construction for orthodontic use which eliminates the need for wire-holding pins, thereby obviating the need for a weakening pin receptacle or hole, and which affords a high degree of versatility in enabling the practitioner to effect a wide variety of tooth movement.

It is still another object of the instant invention to provide a uniquely simple and expeditious means for detachably securing a bracket carrier to a tooth band, wherein the securing means is effectively concealed from view, and readily detachable for replacement of brackets.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational View showing a patients teeth having orthodontic appliances of the present invention applied thereto;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an orthodontic appliance of the present invention apart from a patients tooth;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view showing a patients teeth having associated therewith slightly modified Patented Jan. 14, 1969 orthodontic appliances constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view of the appliance of FIGURES 4 and 5, apart from a patients tooth;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 77 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 88 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a slightly modified orthodontic appliance in accordance with the instant invention; and

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of the assembled appliance of FIGURE 9.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 13 thereof, there are illustrated therein a patients lower teeth, as at 20, 21, 22 and 23, upstanding from the gum 24. Of course, the teachings of the present invention may be applied to upper as well as lower teeth, the lower teeth being shown only for purposes of illustration and without limiting intent.

Snugly circumposed about respective teeth 21 and 22 are bands 25 and 26. The bands, per se, may be conventional, as of preformed metal deformable about the received tooth; or, the bands may be fabricated of a suitable plastic construction, if desired.

Carried by each band, externally thereof for location on the front side of a tooth is a socket, as at 27 and 32, on respective bands 25 and 26. The socket 27 is best seen in FIGURE 3 and may include a pair of laterally spaced side walls 28 outstanding from the front outer surface of band 25, and extending generally vertically between the upper and lower edges of the band. A lower or bottom wall 29 projects outward from the external surface of band 25, extending along the lower edge thereof between the lower ends of side walls 28. The side walls 28 and bottom wall 29 may be formed integral with or aflixed to the band 25 in any suitable manner, as by welding, or other. Extending along each of the side walls 28, generally coextensive therewith, is a front wall 30. Each front wall 30 projects laterally inward beyond its adjacent side wall 28 to define an inner flange or lip on the side wall. Thus, each socket side wall 28 and its adjacent front wall 30 is generally L-shaped in cross section, with the front walls defining inner flanges or lips spaced from and facing toward the band 25. Extending along the bottom wall 29, spaced from the band 25, is an inturned or upwardly projecting lower-end front-wall portion or flange 31. The lower front-wall portion 31 thus combines with the bottom or end wall 29 to define an L-shaped section, with the lower front-wall portion 31 being a substantially flush continuation of the front walls 30.

It will now be appreciated that the socket or pocket 27 has one end closed, its lower end 29, and has its upper end open. Further, the socket front wall, as defined by the inturned lips or flanges 30 and 31, may be considered as bounding a central front opening of the socket. Viewed otherwise, the side walls 28 and end wall 29, and their associated flanges 30 and 31 may be considered as a generally U-shaped formation defining the upwardly opening socket or pocket 27, with its forwardly opening central region.

In practice, it has been found advantageous to arrange the socket side walls 28 in a slightly tapering or convergent relation toward the closed socket end 29.

Removably inserted in each of the sockets or pockets 27 and 32 is a carrier, respectively designated 36 and 36'. The carrier 36 is shown in detail in FIGURES 2 and 3, and may be formed of any suitable material, integral molding of plastic having been found advantageous for its inherent resiliency and color. The carrier 36 may include a solid body defined between an arcuate outer or front surface 37, and a generally concentrically arcuate inner or back surface 38. The front or outer surface 37 may be convex, and the back or inner surface 38 may be concave. Peripherally bounding the body of carrier 36, between the front and back surfaces 37 and 38 may be a generally flat upper side or edge 39, side edges 40 depending from the upper side 39, and a lower or bottom edge 41 extending between the lower ends of the side edges 40. The side edges 40 may be slightly convergent in the downward direction to the lower edge 41, if desired. Formed in the front surface 37, along respective side edges 40 are respective recesses or cutouts 42. That is, the recesses 42 extend along respective side edges 40 from the upper edge 39 through the lower edge 41, opening laterally outwardly through the side edges and forwardly through the front face 37. An additional recess or cutout 43 is formed in the front face 37 extending along the lower edge 41 between the side edges 40, opening downwardly through the lower edge 41 and forwardly through the front face 37. The front-surface recesses 42 and 43 serve to define of the adjacent carrier edges a pair of laterally outstanding side flanges or ridges 44, and a laterally extending lower ridge or flange 45.

The carrier 36 is configured for snug conforming engagement into socket 27, being inserted through the open socket end, and forcibly frictionally engaged in the socket. As best seen in FIGURE 1, the carrier 36 is fully engaged into the socket 32, being removably frictionally retained therein, and the upper side or edge of the carrier may be substantially flush with the open upper end of the socket. However, in the socket 27 there is provided in the closed, lower end thereof, a shim or spacer 47 beneath the lower end of the carrier 36 and serving to retain the latter at a selected elevation relative to the socket 27.

The shim or spacer 47 is best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, and may include an arcuate rear body part 48 conformably engageable within the closed end region of socket 27 between the lower front-wall portion 31 and the band 25. A forward body part 49 is provided on the front of the lower body part 48, spaced from the lower edge thereof and projecting forwardly beyond the lower body part for conforming engagement within the front-wall opening of the socket 27. As best seen in FIGURE 2, the front surface of the forward body part 49 may be substantially flush with the forward surfaces of socket front walls 30 and 31; and further, the front face 37 of carrier 36 may also be substantially flush with the front surfaces of socket front walls 30, and the spacer front body part 49. Thus, the side and end ribs or flanges 44 and of the carrier 36 are engageable entirely within the socket or receptacle 27, while the central front portion of the carrier is presented forwardly through the central front opening of the socket. Provided centrally on the front surface of each carrier 36 and 36', projecting forwardly therefrom, is a bracket, respectively designated 50 and 51. The brackets 50 and 51 may be identical, the former being shown in greater detail in FIGURES 2 and 3. It will there be apparent that the bracket 50 includes a stem or shank 52 projecting forwardly from a central region of the front carrier face 37, generally normal thereto. On the projecting end of the shank or stem 52 is a cross member 53 extending generally normal to the shank 52 longitudinally of the carrier 36, terminating in upper and lower end portions 54 and 55 in the arrangement illustrated in the drawings. Thus, the bracket 50 is of generally T-shape when viewed from the side, with its cross member upright and its stem extending generally horizontally. The bracket 50 thus projects forwardly beyond the central opening in socket or receptacle 27, the upper and lower end portions 54 and 55 of the cross member 53 being spaced forwardly from adjacent portions of the carrier front face 37. The brackets 50 and 51 are advantageously integral with their respective carriers 36 and 36', say being integrally molded of plastic, or other suitable material.

The bracket construction 50 is uniquely advantageous for use in the early stages of light-wire treatment, a wire 57 being illustrated as passing laterally through the brackets 50 and 51. In the illustrated embodiment, the wire 57 passes through the bracket 50 on the underside thereof, between the front face 37 of carrier 36 and the lower bracket cross portion 55, passing thence through the bracket 51 also beneath the lower end of the bracket cross portion. Ligatures 58 and 59 may be wound about respective brackets 50 and 51, and adjacent portions of Wire 57, to tie the wire in position with respect to the ligatures.

By this construction it will now be appreciated that lightwire treatment may be erfected without the use of pins passing through holes in the bracket, so that the bracket of the instant invenion is considerably stronger and less subject to damage. Also, the previously required tedious insertion and removal of wire-holding pins is eliminated, the relatively simple use of ligatures saving considerable time and effort, and effecting superior holding of the light wire.

Further, the centrally located, T-shaped brackets 50 and 51 may be employed by passage of the wire 57 beneath either the lower or upper end portions of the bracket cross member, whereby movement of the tooth may be effected at the gingival or incisal end, as desired. Further, tooth elongation or shortening may also be readily effected by passage of the wire 57 alternately beneath and over the stems or shanks of adjacent brackets, as desired, or by the use of shim means or spacers 47, if desired. That is the carriers 36 and 36' may be located at the same level and the wire 57 be connected thereto at different levels by passage over or under the shanks of the brackets; or, the carriers and their respective brackets may be located at different levels, as for elongation or shortening of teeth.

While the sockets 27 and 32 are illustrated as being arranged to open endwise toward the incisal tooth end, it is understood that the sockets may be inverted to open in the gingival direction, if desired.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIGURES 48, there are illustrated a patients teeth respectively designated 65, 66, 67 and 68 projecting from a gum line 69. The tooth 66 is shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 as being provided with a band 70 snugly and conformably circumposed about the tooth for efiective securement thereto.

The band 70 may be fabricated of deformable metal, plastic or other suitable material. Provided on the front outer surface of band 70 are a plurality of fastener elements 71, which may assume the configuration of headed, male members or pins projecting generally forwardly from the band. The fastener elements 71 may each include a shank 72 suitably fixed to the band 70, as by welding or other securing means, and an enlargement or head 73 on the forward or outer end of each shank. The fastener elements 71 may be spaced laterally on the front side of each tooth band 70, or otherwise arranged, if desired, and may be greater or less in numher, as circumstances require.

Detachably secured on the front of each tooth band 70 is a carrier, as at 75 and 76 on respective teeth 66 and 67. The carrier 75 is best seen in FIGURES 5-8, as including a body bounded on its rear side by a concavely arcuate rear surface 77 and on its front side by a convexly arcuate front surface 78. The rear and front surfaces 77 and 78 of the carrier 75 may merge smoothly at rounded ends 79; and, the carrier may be provided with generally fiat upper and lower sides or surfaces 80 and 81 extending between the rear and front carrier surfaces.

Preferably integral with each carrier 75 and 76, there is formed on the front surface thereof a bracket, as at 82 and 83. The brackets 82 and 83 may be located generally centrally of their respective carriers 75 and 76, laterally midway between opposite ends thereof, and may be of essentially the same configuration as the brackets 50 and 51 of the first-described embodiment. That is, the brackets 82 and '83 may be generally T- shaped, the bracket 82 having a shank or stem 84 projecting forwardly from the front surface 78 of carrier 75, and having a cross member 85 on the forward or projecting end of the shank 84, extending generally vertically so as to have lower and upper end portions 86 and 87 spaced forwardly of the front carrier surface 78.

The rear face 77 of carrier 75 may be provided with fastener elements 88 for complementary or mating interengagement with the fastener elements 71. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the fastener elements 88 may assume a female or recessed formation, best seen in FIG- URE 7, each having a reduced entry portion 89 and an enlarged or undercut inner portion 90. The female fastener elements 88 may thus be formed integrally with the plastic material of the carrier 75, being molded therein. Further the plastic material of carrier 75 may have requisite resilient yieldability for snap reception of male fastener elements 71 upon interengagement of the latter in the recesses 88. This condition is shown in FIGURE 5.

Thus, the carriers 75 and 76 may be snap-engaged on the adjacent tooth bands, and removed by snap-disengagement therefrom.

The carrier fastener means 71, 88 is thus completely concealed for maximum cosmetic effect. Further, the carriers 75 and 76 may be configured to substantially completely conceal and adjacent tooth bands, to effectively minimize the orthodontic appearance of the appliance.

As shown in FIGURE 4, a light wire 91 is passed beneath the shank of bracket 82, and over the shank of bracket 83, being respectively secured thereto by ligatures 92 and 93. This condition illustrates light-wire treatment which may be employed in elongating the tooth 66, while shortening the tooth 67. Also, as discussed above tooth movement may be effected incisally or gingivally, as required, employing the bracket of the instant invention. As the wire force transmitted from the carrier to the adjacent tooth is necessarily toward the tooth, and in no event away from the tooth, it will be understood that the fastener means 71, 88 is effectively self-retaining in its fastened condition.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGURES 9 and 10, the structure therein is essentially similar to that shown in FIGURES 1-3, with slight modification.

A socket is there generally designated 27a, which is similar to the socket 27 described hereinbefore, including a pair of laterally spaced side walls 28a extending forward from the band 25a and vertically between the upper and lower edges of the band. A bottom wall 29a projects outward from the external surface of band 25a, along the lower edge thereof and between the lower ends of the side walls 28a. The side walls 28a and bottom wall 29a may be formed integral with or fixed to the band 25a in any suitable manner. Extending along each of the side walls 28a, generally coextensive therewith, is a frontwall part 30a. The front-wall parts 30a project laterally inward to define inner flanges or lips on the side walls. A lower front-wall part 31a extends along the front edge of the bottom wall 29a, upstanding therefrom in the manner of a lip or flange, and merging in coplanar relation with the front-wall parts 30a.

Each of the front-wall parts 30a is provided with a cut or slit 100 at a location adjacent to and spaced from the upper end thereof and extending from the free inner edge of the respective part toward and terminating short of the adjacent'side wall 28a. Thus, it will be appreciated that the socket or pocket 27a is essentially similar to the socket or pocket 27, with the exception of the slits or cuts 100.

A carrier is generally designated 36a, and is essentially simliar to the carrier 36 desrcibed hereinbefore. The carrier 36a may include a solid body defined between an armate, convex outer or front surface 37a, and an arcuate, concave inner or back surface 38a. The body of carrier 36a may be bounded on its upper side by an upper edge 39a, along vertical sides by side edges 40a, and along its underside by a lower edge 41a. Formed in the front surface 37a, along respective side edges 40a are respective recesses or cutouts 42a, which open at their opposite ends upwardly and downwardly through upper and lower ends of the body, and open along their length forwardly through the front surface 37a and laterally outwardly through the side edges 40a. An additional recess or cutout 43a is formed in the front surface 37a extending along the lower edge 41a between the side edges 4011, opening downwardly through the lower edge and forwardly through the front face. The front-surface recesses 42a and 43a serve to define of the adjacent carrier edges a pair of laterally outstanding side flanges or ridges 44a, and a laterally extending lower ridge or flange 45a. In addition, the upper end of each side flange 44a is cut away forwardly and rearwardly therethrough, so that the upper-end face 101 of each side flange is spaced below the upper-end face 39a of the carrier body a distance approximately equal to the spacing of the cuts or slits below the upper ends of the wall parts 30a.

Upon insertion of the carrier 36a in the socket 27a, in the manner described hereinbefore, the carrier seats firmly in the socket. In order to positively resist possible upward withdrawal of the carrier from the socket, the upper-end portions 102 of the socket front-wall parts 30a, above the cuts 100, may be bent rearwardly over the upper-end surfaces 101 of the side flanges 40a. This condition is shown in FIGURE 10.

It will now be understood that this relatively simple structure enables the carrier to be positively retained in the socket, and to be removed, as desired, by return bending of the upper-end tab portions,102.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides unique improvements in orthodontic appliances which fully accomplish their intended objects and are well adapted to meet practical conditions of treatment and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An orthodontic appliance comprising a band for snug circumposition about a tooth, a socket fixed to said band having only one end open facing toward a tooth end, said socket having a central window opening away from said band, a carrier removably inserted into said socket through the open end thereof and having its central portion exposed through said window, and a wire-receiving bracket fixed on the central portion of said carrier and presented through said window, said bracket comprising an extension projecting outwardly from said carrier outwardly beyond said Window, and a pair of ears projecting oppositely from the outer end of said extension in spaced relation with respect to said carrier and combining with said carrier and extension to define a pair of oppositely facing slots, whereby a light wire is adapted to be engaged in a selected one of said slots and ligated to said extension.

2. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, said ears projecting longitudinally of the adjacent tooth.

3. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 2, said socket opening toward the incisal tooth end.

4. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, said ears being spaced from said carrier :1 distance greater than the thickness of light wire.

5. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, said socket having its other end closed, and a shim of selected height configured for removable conforming engagement in the closed end region of said socket, whereby said can rier is insertable in said socket into engagement with said shim for location at a selected elevation.

6. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, said carrier and bracket being integrally fabricated of plastic material.

7. An orthodontic appliance comprising a band for circumposition about a tooth, a pair of spaced fixed fastener male snap elements on said band, a bracket carrier, and a pair of complementry female snap fastener elements on said carrier detachably interengageable with said fixed male fastener elements whereby said carrier is held against rotation relative to said band.

8. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 7, said fixed fastener elements comprising generally circular male snap-fastener elements, and said complementary fastener elements comprising generally circular female snap-fastener elements.

9. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 8, said female snap-fastener elements being defined by undercut recesses in said carrier.

10. An orthodontic appliance comprising a band for snug circumposition about a tooth, a socket fixed to said band having only one end open facing toward a tooth end, said socket having a central Window opening away from said band, a carrier removably inserted into said socket through the open end thereof and having its central portion exposed through said window, at least a portion of said carrier terminating short of the open socket end when inserted in said socket, the open socket end portion being deformable to overlie the carrier and prevent Withdrawal from said socket, and a wire-receiving bracket fixed on the central portion of said carrier and presented through said window.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,304,721 5/1919 Young 32-14 1,304,722 5/1919 Young 32-44 2,908,974 10/1959 Stifter 32-14 3,193,930 7/1965 Bien 32-14 3,203,098 8/ 1965 Petraitis 3214 3,303,565 2/1967 Newman 32-14 LOUIS C. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT PESHOCK, Assistant Examiner. 

